Some things never change. Ask the bystander on the street (or in the mall) about Jesus and it might be said that He was a wise teacher, or an inspiring model to follow, or a moderate political activist, or a social reformer, or a compassionate servant and healer. But few will address the reason Christ […]
Read More He’s about forgivenessThis month’s free audio book from Christian Audio is Jerry Bridges’ book, Trusting God. This is a book I’ve recommended often and read and referred to multiple times for my own spiritual benefit. Download it at Christianaudio (No purchase necessary).
Read More Free audiobook: Trusting GodIn Matthew 9, the writer records five healings or miracles of Jesus: the healing of the paralytic man the healing of the hemorrhaging woman the raising of the official’s daughter from the dead the healing of the two blind men the casting out of the demon from the mute man Additionally, Matthew notes that “Jesus […]
Read More The miracles are not about the miraclesCountryside Bible Church has hosted a conference each February for the past five years addressing the five solas of the Reformation. This year, they are beginning a new 6-year series called “The Essentials.” In the coming years they will address six essentials to the spiritual life: Bible study, evangelism, fellowship, prayer, service, and worship. The […]
Read More The Essentials — Bible studyWe utter the words of Matthew 6:33 quite easily — “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” But what does seeking the righteousness of Christ mean? Is this an opportunity for chest-thumping legalists to rejoice in their accomplishments? No. “The righteousness we are to seek has […]
Read More Seeking Christ’s righteousnessA few years ago I was encouraged to ask someone for a favor — “Ask him…I really think he’d be willing to help you.” I was uncertain. The favor I was asking was not insignificant and while this man was well-known to my friend, I did not know him at all. Why would he take […]
Read More A reluctant Giver?“It is true that Jesus forbids his people to worry. But to be free from worry and to be free from trouble are not the same thing.…it is reasonable to trust in our heavenly Father’s love, even in times of grievous trouble, because we have been privileged to see it revealed in Christ and his […]
Read More They said it better than me: worry and anxietyJesus was concerned to correct false views of righteousness. As an example, Jesus’ most famous sermon — the one given on the mount (Mt. 5-7) was given largely with a view of revealing God’s standard (and provision) of righteousness. The problem, as Jesus revealed it, is that there are competing forms of righteousness and none […]
Read More Anxiety and God’s righteousnessOne of the dominant views about the biblical ordinance of communion is what is called “transubstantiation.” The term comes from the Latin terms trans (meaning “change”) and substantiation (meaning “substance,” or “essence”). The view is that the bread and cup of communion substantially become the literal body and blood of Christ. The outward form is […]
Read More Sunday leftovers: communion and transubstantiationContemplating Psalm 16:8-9, Spurgeon [in The Treasury of David] outlines the importance and benefits of an ongoing consideration of and meditation on God: A sense of the divine presence our best support. It yields, 1. Good confidence concerning things without. I shall not be moved. 2. Good cheer within. My heart is glad. 3. Good […]
Read More I have set the Lord continually before me“Prepare your people for suffering,” one pastor has repeatedly advised other pastors. He’s right. And his counsel imitates what Christ did for His disciples while on earth, and what His Word repeatedly does for its readers even now. Persecution and suffering are inevitable for the follower of Christ (2 Tim. 3:12). Make a choice to […]
Read More Suffer wellEvery life has good and trouble — or to use the terms of Luke 6, blessings and woes. Each day has some of both. A card of encouragement and a hospital bill come in the same mail box: blessing and woe. A perfectly baked potato and an overdone steak are served as part of the […]
Read More Blessings and woesIn the interest of “something is better than nothing,” here are a few blurbs and comments on some books I’ve recently completed reading: Title: Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well Author: Randy Newman Publisher: Crossway, 2011, 216 pp., $14.99 Recommendation (4-star scale): Summary: Newman not […]
Read More Book blurbsJerry Bridges and Bob Benvington (The Bookends of the Christian Life) ask some insightful questions to help determine if one is living out of self-righteousness or Christ-righteousness. When you analyze your Christian walk: 1) Do you tend to live by a list of dos and don’ts? 2) Is it difficult for you to respect those […]
Read More Self-righteous or Christ-righteous?Examples of people with hard hearts abound in Scripture. Pharaoh is the first one who is explicitly said to have a hard heart (Ex. 7:13ff). He was followed by Sihon (Dt. 2:30), Israel in the wilderness (Ps. 95:8), the inhabitants of the land of Canaan at the return from Egypt (Josh. 11:20), the Philistines when […]
Read More What makes a heart hard?
Words of Grace 